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The spider was was seen in Holcroft Moss Nature Reserve in Warrington, Cheshire, reports The Mirror, and could already have spread to other parts of the Uk as it is believed to have been established in the country for some time.

The spider was spotted by arachnologist Richard Burkmar, the BBC reports, and he, along with fellow spider enthusiast Richard Gallon, informed Dr Dmitri Logunov, one of the world's most respected experts, The Independent reports.

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It was confirmed to be the first recognised sighting of the spider in Britain. Sarah Bennett, from the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, told The Independent : "A number of rare bog spiders were also discovered during the surveys, including the jumping spider Heliophanus dampfi, making it the only site in England where this has been recorded.

"It's definitely a special site for bog-loving wildlife."

Despite it being the first ever confirmed sighting, it is thought the spiders could have been in the country for thousands of years.

What are false widow spiders

They are distinctive for their shiny, black flesh, bulbous bodies, thick legs and skull-like patterns.

They have long legs and can reach about 15mm in size.

Also known as steatoda nobilis, the spider is frequently confused for the black widow, which has deadly venom.

The false widow was first spotted in the UK in Torquay, Devon, in 1879, and it is understood that it may have made its way to these shores from Madeira or the Canary Islands in a shipment of bananas.

What should you do if you get bitten

The first thing you should do is wash the area thoroughly with soap and water to prevent infection - and don't scratch, as if you break the skin there's more chance for bacteria to get in.

Cover bites with a plaster and apply an antihistamine sting cream to calm any inflammation or itching, says Stuart Hine, from the Natural History Museum's identification and advisory service.

Any redness, pain or swelling should subside after three days.

Be alert to potential signs of infection, such as weeping blisters or painful swelling, that continue to get worse after a few days.